Saturday, August 18, 2007

When I sat down with The Book of Bob, I had no idea what to expect. What I found was a skillful interweaving (I believe the term du jour is “mashup”) of themes I had previously encountered in books such as Another Roadside Attraction, Dr. Strangelove, and The Days of the Late, Great State of California. The Book of Bob has them all.

Satire and irony are two slightly different things, but Paul Chasman has clearly mastered both. He calls upon his experience as a prolific writer of letters over a four-year period to President Bush and others prominent in the political and business scenes of our modern world to pour out a little morality tale that’s certain to make you laugh, even if what you really feel like doing is crying.

I don’t think I’ll be spoiling anything for anyone by noting that the greatest weapon of mass destruction in The Book of Bob is the cockiness of the Chosen Leader of the Free Nation. For those of you who have read the book, the pun is deliberate. For those of you who haven’t, don’t miss an opportunity to pick one up tonight.

But tonight’s show, “Helluva Deal,” is more than just a reading, just as Paul Chasman is more than “just a writer.” Musician, composer, teacher, Paul brings a wealth of skills to entertain you tonight.

And I suspect when he’s finished, you’ll join me in saluting him: [clap] [snap] “Helluva deal!”So get comfortable and ready to be entertained.